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It isn't unusual to have trouble starting your gasoline-powered lawnmower, especially after it's been setting for a while in cold or damp conditions. You pull the machine out onto the lawn and give the starting cord several tugs. When nothing happens, you turn on the choke and continue pulling until you detect the familiar smell of gasoline, which means the engine is flooded. The conventional remedy for a flooded engine is to let it set for 15 minutes or so to give the carburetor time to dry. You can do this, but there are quicker solutions.

Pull off the spark plug wire and unscrew the spark plug with a spark plug wrench. The plug terminals are probably moistened with gasoline. Dry them by spraying alcohol-based starter fluid on the plug or simply wiping them with a dry cloth.

Crank the engine a few times while the plug is out to draw air through the carburetor and dry it out.

Replace the plug, turn off the choke and crank the engine. If it sputters, crank a few more times until it starts. You may need to turn the choke back on to get it to turn over, but turn off the choke again as soon as the engine starts.

Remove the air filter if the engine doesn't sputter. The filter is usually on the top or side of the mower. You may have to remove a screw with a screwdriver to get to it.

Spray the filter with starter fluid, put it back and immediately crank the engine. If you don't get any response, remove the filter and leave it off while you crank the engine a few times to empty the carburetor. If the engine sputters or turns over while the filter is off, the filter is dirty and should be replaced.

Things You Will Need

Spark plug wrench

Starter fluid

Dry cloth

Screwdriver

Tip

Gas goes bad when it sets in an idle lawn mower for a long time. Siphoning it out of the tank and replacing it with fresh gas may be all you need to do to start the engine.

When the mower doesn't start and you don't smell gas, it may be because there is no gas in the tank or the fuel valve is off.

Warning

Keep all sources of flames away from the mower while you service a flooded engine. The gas fumes you smell are flammable.

About the Author

Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. Besides having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. As a landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies.